Chapter 16. That we ought to lay open our necessities to Christ and to re... (Book 4. Exhortation to Holy Communion) (The Imitation of Christ) (a-Kempis, Thomas)

1. The Voice of the Disciple

O most sweet and loving Lord, whom now I devoutly desire to receive, You know my infirmity and the necessity which I suffer, in what evils and vices I lie; how often I am weighed down, tempted, disturbed, and defiled. I come to You for remedy, I beseech of You consolation and support. I speak to You who know all things, to whom all my secrets are open, and who alone are able perfectly to comfort and help me. You know what good thing I most stand in need of, and how poor I am in virtues.

2. Behold, I stand poor and naked before You, requiring grace, and imploring mercy. Refresh the hungry suppliant, kindle my coldness with the fire of Your love, illuminate my blindness with the brightness of Your presence. Turn you all earthly things into bitterness for me, all grievous and contrary things into patience, all things worthless and created into contempt and oblivion. Lift up my heart to You in Heaven, and suffer me not to wander over the earth. Be You alone sweet to me from this day forward for ever, because You alone are my meat and drink, my love and joy, my sweetness and my whole good.

3. Oh that You would altogether by Your presence, kindle, consume, and transform me into Yourself; that I may be made one spirit with You, by the grace of inward union, and the melting of earnest love! Suffer me not to go away from You hungry and dry; but deal mercifully with me, as oftentimes You have dealt wondrously with Your saints. What marvel if I should be wholly kindled from You, and in myself should utterly fail, since You are fire always burning and never failing, love purifying the heart and enlightening the understanding.